How to Wash a Bath Mat
A bath mat used in bathrooms is usually available in two types. Bath mats that you place outside the bathtub are usually made of a soft, plush fabric meant to absorb water and may have a rubber backing underneath, which helps prevent slippage on the bathroom floor. Inside the tub, you can use bath mats that are generally made entirely of rubber. Tub bath mats prevent slips in the tub, thereby preventing minor to serious injuries from a fall. Bath mats can be easily cleaned with a mild laundry detergent, and dried in a dryer or on a clothesline.
Step 1 - Look at the Label
Most bath mats will have labels that will guide you on dos and don’ts for care and maintenance. Read the label before you start cleaning the bath mat. Depending on the type of bath mat you have, the cleaning and drying process may be slightly different.
Step 2 - Floor Bath Mat
Wash bath mats regularly to avoid the buildup of mildew and germs. Lift the bath mat and shake it thoroughly to dislodge any dust buildup. Put the bath mat in the washer with laundry detergent. You can also throw in some bath towels, which will aid in the scrubbing process. For colored bath mats, run the washer on a cold cycle. If all the materials are whites, you can use hot water.
If the bath mat has a rubber back, avoid the dryer, as the heat from the dryer can damage and crack the rubber after repeated washes. Such bath mats can be hung over a clothesline or kept out in the sun for drying. If the bath mat is entirely fabric, you can safely put it in the dryer. After cleaning, if it looks too flat, brush lightly.
Step 3 - Tub Bath Mat
Wash these bath mats when you are cleaning the tub. Scrub the mat thoroughly with a brush and bathroom cleaner. Once you finish one side, flip the mat and repeat on the underside. It is important to clean both sides, because mildew, germs, and dirt can accumulate over time.
After scrubbing, wash the mat and leave it outside to dry, or hang it on a clothesline. You could also wash these bath mats outdoors with a garden hose, or put them in the washer with some thick towels. These bath mats can not be put in the dryer, even on low heat.
-
![Lakshmy Nair]()
Lakshmy is a contributing writer for DoItYourself.com. She's an experienced researcher with a wide range of interests relating to home improvement and gardening, and especially enjoys learning about flower and vegetable cultivation.![Dawn Hammon]()
Dawn Hammon has thrived in freelance writing and editor roles for nearly a decade. She has lived, worked, and attended school in Oregon for many years. Dawn currently spends her days convincing her children she is still smarter than them while creating new experiences with her husband of 24 years.  Her multiple interests have led her to frequently undergo home improvement projects. She enjoys sharing the hard-earned knowledge that comes with it with the audience of DoItYourself.com. Dawn and her sister make up a power-tool loving duo that teaches classes to local women with the goal of empowering them to tackle their fears and become comfortable with power tools. Tapping into her enthusiasm for saving money and devotion to sustainable practices, Dawn has recently launched a passion project aimed at connecting eco-friendly products and socially-responsible companies with consumers interested in making conscientious purchases, better informing themselves about products on the market, and taking a stand in favor of helping to save the planet. When she is not providing stellar online content for local, national, and international businesses or trolling the internet for organic cotton clothing, you might find her backpacking nearby hills and valleys, traveling to remote parts of the globe, or expanding her vocabulary in a competitive game of Scrabble. Dawn holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, which these days she mostly uses to provide therapy for her kids and spouse. Most recently, I worked for a small local professional organizing and estate sale company for four years where I learned a ton about organizing and/or disposing of just about anything. She was raised in a tool-oriented, hands-on, DIY family. Her dad worked in the floor covering business and owned local floor covering businesses, so of course selling floor covering was one of her first jobs. Her brother was a contractor for about 30 years and site supervisor for Habitat for Humanity. I worked with him often, building decks, painting houses, framing in buildings, etc. With her sister, she holds power tool classes to empower women who are scared or have never used them. Not quite homesteaders, she did grow up with a farm, tractors, motorcycles, expansive gardens, hay fields, barns, and lots of repairs to do. Plus she and her family preserved foods, raised cattle and pigs, chopped and hauled firewood, and performed regular maintenance on two households, outbuildings, fencing, etc. As an adult, she has owned two houses. The first one she personally ripped out a galley kitchen and opened it up to the living area, plus updated every door, floor covering, and piece of trim in the place. In her current home, she's tackled everything from installing real hardwood flooring to revamping the landscape.
